Mended

Author's Note: Thank you all my readers for sticking with me, and to lzclotho for the Henry idea.

This little story needs just one more part, then we'll draw this to an end. After all, don't you want to know how Snow and David react when they find out about R & E?

The front bell rang, drawing Regina automatically toward the entrance. She knew who stood on the other side.

As she swung the door open, she was unprepared for the warmth that blossomed from her chest. "Emma. Come in."

"Thanks."

She waited until Emma had stepped clear, then shut the outside world out. "I wondered if Henry would deliver my note. Come into the kitchen, I'm just finishing up the salad."

Emma followed her silently and took a stool at the island. "Do you need any help?"

"No thank you, I'm fine. I do hope you like carrots in your salad though."

"Yeah, they're good. Of course Henry delivered your note. Not sure if he read it though. He did have this weird little smile...kinda creepy...Regina, we should talk…"

"Not yet. After dinner. Let's just enjoy the moment."

"All right."

Regina retrieved salad tongs from a drawer and asked Emma if oil and vinegar would be satisfactory.

"Sounds good."

"Dinner is ready then." Regina smiled and led the way into the dining room.

They enjoyed their dinner in relative silence, Emma complimenting Regina's culinary skills as always.

"I don't think I've ever had chicken this way."

"It's not the healthiest dish, but I thought perhaps the salad would balance it out."

"I'll have to get you to teach me sometime."

"You assume that we'll be friends, Miss Swan." Regina raised one eyebrow at Emma.

"Thought you wanted to wait until after dinner?"

"Pie for dessert?" Regina deflected.

"I'd rather have you." Emma countered.

Regina blushed as she rose to clear their plates.

As she reached for Emma's plate, the blonde's hand intercepted her own. Emma brought Regina's arm to her lips and gently kissed just inside the elbow. "I thought maybe we could continue what we started, only maybe slower this time, and without the hitting?"

Regina closed her eyes and swallowed quickly as her face reddened.

"Let me prove to you how sorry I am that I hurt you, Regina. Let me prove that I'm not after anything but your trust, and maybe your heart."

The former witch opened her eyes. "Emma...you don't know how hard…"

Emma stood and took both of Regina's hands into her own. "Yes, I do, Regina. This is me, remember? You may be the best at wearing those damn masks and pretending you don't get hurt, but I know your tells. You are a crappy poker player, Regina Mills. I stopped running for you and Henry. Because even though you tried so hard to get rid of me, I fell for you. Because I can't imagine being happy anywhere else but Storybrooke now. As much as I wanted a normal life, as much as I thought I was happy in Boston and New York, I knew something was missing. So I've stopped running." Emma kissed Regina on one cheek, ever so gently. "I've hurt you and I didn't mean to, and it's probably not gonna be the last time, but be patient with me, okay?"

"If you will be, with me."

"I can do that. We haven't killed each other yet, have we?" Emma gave Regina a cocky grin.

"So where does that leave us?" Regina asked. "If we continue on this path, we will either be forced to keep our relationship a secret, or…"

"I'm not going to blurt it out to my parents, but I'll be damned if I'm going to keep us a secret." Emma blurted out. "We're all adults, and my parents have my brother to worry about now anyway."

"I don't want to have to hide us." Regina reclaimed one hand and lightly cupped Emma's cheek. "I've snuck around before. It cheapens things. This time isn't about control and scratching an itch that won't go away."

Emma didn't need to ask, she knew who Regina had snuck around with. "I don't want to sneak around either. But you know there will be people who will judge…"

"Your parents are going to just have to get over themselves, my dear."

"And the townspeople that still hold a grudge?"

"Can go to Hell." Regina smiled a little as she leaned in and kissed her Saviour gently on the lips.

They stayed that way until the need for oxygen forced them apart, if only a little.

"My Queen…" Emma's voice was low and rough.

"My Saviour…" Regina replied.

TBC!